Dispensing closures



May 17, 1960 l. a. KUBILIUNAS 2,936,934

' DISPENSING CLOSURES Filed July 7, 1958 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIG. I

r /0 4440 76 IGNAS B. KUBILIUNAS INVENTOR ATTORNEYS May 17, 1960 l. B. KUBILIUNAS 2,936,934

DISPENSING CLOSURES 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July '7, 195a FIG. IO

IGNAS B. KUBILIUNAS INVENTOR ATTORNEYS May 17, 1960 I. B. KUBILIUNAS DISPENSING CLOSURES 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed July 7, 1958 S R V. WWW w r Maw MN W. M

8 U K M w W N v! PM E United States Patent O This invention is concerned with a new and improved type of dispensing closure in which the basic elements thereof are made in large part according to the teachings of the United States patent to Wilson, 2,793,795, granted May 28, 1957, for Dispensing Closures;

The present invention incorporates therein new and improved features which make it possible for a closure of the type referred to to perform in a manner better than has heretofore been possible. The, closure has been used with success in dispensing medicines, chemicals, liquid soap, oil and other liquids, the amount of which the user may wish to vary from time to time. That isto say, the closure is arranged to provide" discharge varying from sealed but with the sealing element adapted to be cut ofi prior to use to present a desired discharge diameter.

Fig. 8 is an end elevation of Fig. 7.

Fig. 9 is a section taken on the line 9-9 of'Fig. 8

Fig. 10 is a section taken on the line '10-10 of Fig. 8.

Fig. 11 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a portion of the spout and spout body and the seat in the closure in which the spout body rests.

Fig. 12 is a view similar to Fig. 11 with the spout shifted to minimum open position.

Fig. 13 is a' section taken on the line 13-13- of Fig. 12 but to much smaller scale.

Referring now to the drawings in more detail, in Fig. 1

the closure 2'is shown applied to a bottle or container 4, which may be either rigid or of the squeeze type. The closure, as can be seen in Fig. 4, has a threaded cavity 6 and a closed top 8, through the center of which extends a discharge passage 10 through which the liquid passes as it flows to the passage 12 through spout 14.

That portion of the closure in which the threads are located will be referred to as the body 15. The'iupper drop by drop to the maximum full stream; The closure may be used with rigid bottles or squeeze bottles. If used with rigid bottles, a vent passage is necessary so that air may enter the container as the liquid leaves. It the closure is used with a squeeze bottle, then the vent passage should be omitted.

In practice, it is desirable that closures of the type disclosed herein be constructed to discharge the liquid drop by drop if necessary. Prior art constructions have been such that this has not been readily possible. Accordingly, one object of the present invention is to provide a construction that includes a swinging spout, which spout when in one position will -sealthe closure but when swung to operating position will first permit the passage of limited quantities of liquid, preferably drop by drop, and thereafter as the spout is swung to fully open positionthe rate of liquid flow will gradually and controllably increase until it reaches the maximum. The rate of flow of the liquid is controlled by the position of the spout.

Another object of the invention is to provide means which will enable the user to set the spout initially at that position of minimum liquid flow.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a construction which will insure complete sealing of the closure even when the liquid in the container is of low surface tension.

These and other objects of the invention will become more apparent as the description proceeds with the aid of the accompanying drawings in which- Fig. 1 is a side elevationof the closure in position on a bottle with the spout set for minimum. discharge.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the closure with the spout in maximum open position.

Fig. 3 is a front elevation of Fig. 2.;

Fig. 4 is a sectional elevation taken on the line 4--4 of Fig. 2. e r

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary I 'ew in vertical section taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 2 with the spout set at minimum discharge position. J

Fig.6 is a fragmentary vertical section taken on the line 66 of Fig. 2 with the spout in closed position.

Fig. 7 is an enlarged side elevation of the spout and spout body with .the outer end in section showing one portion or top 8 contains the seating portion for the spout body-and trunnions.

The upper portion of the closure comprises a pair of spaced side walls 16 and 18 (see Figs. 2 and 3) and a rear curved wall 20. There is a vertical space 21between sidewalls 16 and 18 and the rear wall 20, as can be seen most clearly in Figs. 5, 6, 11 and 12.

The spout 14 at its lower end has a body 22 having on opposite sides thereof trunnions 24 and 26. The trunnions fit against curved surfaces 28 and 30 (see Fig. 13) while the body 22 is received by the correspondingly curved surface 32. Thus the curved seating surfaces in the top receive the spout body and trunnions and make it possible for the spout to be swung from horizontal position, asshown in Fig. 6, to vertical position, as shown in Fig. 4. During such movement the sides of the spout will slide against walls 16 and 18.

The curved receiving seat 32 is of special configura- ;tion which can best be seen in Figs. 11, 12 and 13. Curved surface 32 is generally cylindrical and extends circumferentially from the vertical wall 34 (see'Figs.

form of spout construction in which the spout is initially 11 and 12) to the horizontal wall 36. Circumferentially and centrally thereof. the cylindrical surface '32 along the upper part ofrear wall 20 is cut away in the form of a shallow curved groove 38 .while the portion of the surface 32 adjacent the horizontal wall 36 is cut away in a similar manner as at 40 (see Figs. 11, 12 and 13). These grooved areas 38 and 40 are so formed for the purpose of receiving and permitting the passage therealong of two diametrically opposed raised projections 42 and 44, which are in the nature of spherical segments integral-with and located on opposite sides of the body 22. The projections 42 and 44 are of such diameter that when the spout12 is in closed position as shown in Figs. 6 and 11 the upper cylindrical edge 46 of discharge passage 10 will engage projection '44 along a circular line. This arrangement produces a very tight and secure closure, the pressure between the two elements causing a slight mutual deflection of the resilient 'material of which the closure and spout body are 'made. Because of the flexibility of the materials, the body 22 is also seated against surface 32 at the ungrooved areas 48 and 50, further insuring sealing of the liquid in the container. When the spout is swung toward open position as shown in Figs. 5 and 12, it will be seen that the projection 44 has reached a position where it resides in groove 40 and projection 42 has likewise entered groove 38. In this position, as shown in Fig. 12, the surface 32 will have resumed its normal cylindrical form so that that area numbered50 location of the venting grooves.

press against the corresponding portion of the body 22, thus sealing against escape of liquid in this direction.

The passageway 12 extending through spout 14 terminates on the inner side of body 22 in a cutaway area 52 best seen in Figs. 7, 8, 11 and 12. This cutaway area when viewed as in Fig. 8 is generally triangular in shape and terminates in pointed portions '54 and 56. The center line when viewed laterally is curvedas at 58 and 60 (see Figs. 11 and 12). The purpose of this construction is to produce a very small opening as indicated at 62 in Fig. 12 between the edge 46 of passage 10 and the adjacent walls of the pointed opening. The passage 62 so presented with the spout in this diagonal position will allow a minimum quantity of liquid to be discharged through the spout. Liquid cannot escape through the groove 38 because this groove is blocked by projection 42. Thus the liquid must flow through the passage 12 in spout 14. j The spout 12, body 22, and trunnions .24 and 26 are symmetrical so that the spout may be inserted in the circular receiving seats 28, 30 and 32 when in either one of two positions each 180 degrees apart. That is, either trunnion 24, 26 may be received in either curved surface 28, 30. In order to provide means for holding the spout closed the wall 16 has a projection 64 extending therefrom which is adapted to cooperate with. a "cavity 66 suitably located on the outside of spent .14 v(see 'Fig.

7).- A second projection 68 is located higher up on the wall-16 so as to cooperate with cavity ,66 to maintain the spout in the position shown in Figs. and 12, ,at

.which position the minimum opening .62 has become available. As the spout is .swung from the position of Figs. 5 and 12 to vertical position as shown in Fig. 4 the opening 62 will gradually increase until the maximum discharge condition becomes available as in Fig. 4.

A venting passage of novel construction has been provided. This is so arranged that it is immaterial which position the trunnions 24 and 26 are in when they are inserted into the receiving surfaces 23 and 39 in the cap top. This venting construction is as follows: A passage 70 (see Figs. 11 and 12) extends downwardly through the rear wall 20 until it intersects the surface 32 at a position laterally disposed from the shallow groove 38. This venting passage is then continued as at 72 to open into the interior of the upper part of the closure. The body 22 (see Figs. 8, 9 and has a pair of venting grooves 74 and 76, one of which is adapted to cooperate with the venting passages 70 and 72 depending on how the body and .trunnions are positioned in the seating surfaces. When'the spout 14 is in closed position as shown in Fig. 11, the upper end of venting passage 72 will be blocked by the corresponding outer surface 78 of the body 22. When the spout 12 is swung to initial discharge position as shown in Fig. 12, the venting groove 74 will have reached a position with respect to passages 70 and 72 so that air may enter the container passing through outer passage 70, the related portion of venting groove 74 and the inner venting passage 72. When thespout is swung to vertical position, as shown in Fig. 4, the

communication between passages 70 and 72 via venting groove 74 is continued so that at all times from the initial opening of the discharge passage to complete opening thereof an air vent .to the interior of the containe will be available. I

As previously indicated, dual venting grooves 74 and 76 as shown in Fig. 8 are provided to facilitate assembly of the spout in the cap. The operator may put the trunnions in their seats without having to consider the will always be a groove available to cooperate with pets sages 70 and 72.

If the closure is to he used with a squeeze type bottle, the venting grooves 74 and 76 may be omitted from the spout body 22, or alternately the passages 70 and. 72 Will be omitted or both.

In either position there I By virtue of the foregoing construction, it is possible to readily set the spout at a starting discharge position which'will give drop by drop discharge in either a rigid or squeeze type bottle. The construction furthermore is such that when the spout is in closed position the small projections 42 and 44 on the spout body make sufficiently tight contact with the circular seat 46 on the outer end of passage 10 to preclude the escape of liquids including those of low surface tension. The projections 64 and 68 effectively cooperate with the facing depression 66 on the side of the spout to hold the spout closed or to indicate the position of initial discharge.

By providing a spout having a tapered interior passage as indicated at 78 in Fig. 7 and which is closed as at 80 when the container is initially sold, the user on putting the spout in operation may out off the end 36 at a selected location whereby the passage 12 may have its exit end 78 of any selected diameter. In this way the rate of discharge of liquid may be further controlled. 7

It is my intention to cover all changes and modifications of the example of the invention herein chosen for purposes of the disclosure which do not constitute departures from the spirit and scope of the invention.

I claim:

v 1. A spout for use in a dispensing closure which clo sure includes as part thereof a cap having a discharge passage therethrough, said spout comprising an elongated tubular element having a passageway therethrough, a generally cylindrical .body portion on the end of said tubular element with said passageway terminating at the exterior of said body, a pair of axially aligned trunnions extending from opposite sides of said body, a pair of curved surfaces in said cap, said pair of axially aligned .trunnions being rotatab-ly received one in each of said curved surfaces, and a circumferentially extending notch located at the body end of said passageway, said notch being of decreasing depth and width as it extends away from said passageway, said notch terminating at each end thereof in a point, the aforesaid symmetrical construction of said spout making it possible for said spout to be cooperatively applied to said cap to control the discharge of liquids through said cap discharge passage in either of two positions with either of said trunnions seated in either of said curved surfaces.

.2. A spout as set forth in claim 1, and a pair of diametrically oppositely disposed projections on said body,

said projections being in the form of spherical segments, one of saidprojections adapted to act assealing means in cooperation with said cap discharge.

3. A dispensing closure for a container comprising two parts, both of resilient material, one part forming a screw threaded cap having .a discharge passage therethrough, said discharge passage having a circular upper edge constituting a seat, the other part comprising a spout, a generally cylindrical spout body and laterally extending trunnions, the outer portion of said cap being formed to provide a seating area for'receiving said body and trunnions whereby said spout may be swung from closed to open position, said body acting to close said discharge passage when said spout is crosswise thereof, a passageway through said spout and body which may be brought into alignment with said discharge passage by rotating said spout and. body, the body of said spout having a circular projection thereon in the form of a'spher'ical segment whose base is of greater diameter than the said circular edge of said seat of said discharge passage, said main open while said spout is moved angularly through its entire range of open position.

4. A dispensing closure for a container comprising two parts, both of resilient material, one part forming a screw threaded cap having a discharge passage therethrough, said discharge passage having a circular upper edge constituting a seat, the other part comprising a spout, a generally cylindrical spout body and laterally extending trunnions, the outer portion of said cap being formed to provide a seating area for receiving said body and trunnions whereby said spout may he swung from closed to open position, said body acting to close said discharge passage when said spout is crosswise thereof, a passageway through said spout and body which may be brought into alignment with said discharge passage by rotating said spout and body, said cap having a vent passage which extends into and out of said seating area and which is blocked by said spout body when said spout is crosswise of said discharge passage, said spout body having a cooperating vent groove in the periphery thereof, said vent passage and vent groove being aligned in a plane normal to the axis of said body and between said spout and one of said trunnions, said vent groove being of such length that whenever said spout is in any degree of communication with said discharge passage, said vent passage and said vent groove will be in communication whereby air may enter said container.

5. Adispensing closure as set forth in claim 3, the said seating area for receiving said body having a shallow circum'ferentially extending groove therein having a crosssectional configuration substantially the same as that of the said projection, said groove terminating shortof said discharge passage whereby as said spout is moved fromclosed toward open position said projection will first travel over the ungrooved portion of said body seat before reaching a position in said groove at which position said body will be in engagement with that part of said seating area between said discharge passage and the end of said groove.

6. A dispensing closure as set forth in claim 5, said body having a second projection located diametrically opposite said first projection, said seating area having a second shallow circumferentially extending groove having a cross-sectional configuration the same as that of said second projection whereby as said spout and body may be rotated said second projection may travel in said second groove and the areas of the said body on both sides of said second projection may be in engage ment with those portions of the seating area on opposite sides of said second groove, said second projection and said second groove cooperating to prevent the escape of liquid through said second groove.

References Citedin the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,914,736 Coutou June 20, 1933 2,634,949 Robinson Apr. 14, 1953 2,701,668 Zayan Feb. 8, 1955 2,717,726 Mart Sept. 13, 1955 2,793,795 Wilson et al May 28, 1957 2,828,895 Mart Apr. 1, 1958 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE T CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No, 2,936,934

' May 17. 1960 Ignas B. Kubiliunas, I

the-pririted specification ied that error appears in that the said Letters It is hereby certif correction and of the above numbered patent requiring Patent should read as corrected below.

Column 4, line 49 after "discharge" and before the period insert passage Signed and sealed this" Tuna-3y: O c tob ei- 1960. I

(SEAL) Attest: v I v KARL a. XLTNE I TROBERTCEWATSON C C C(immissionepof Pat m Attesting Oificer 

